Integrated circuit device and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

A method includes providing a plurality of active regions on a substrate, and at least a first device isolation layer between two of the plurality of active regions, wherein the plurality of active regions extend in a first direction; providing a gate layer extending in a second direction, the gate layer forming a plurality of gate lines including a first gate line and a second gate line extending in a straight line with respect to each other and having a space therebetween, each of the first gate line and second gate line crossing at least one of the active regions, providing an insulation layer covering the first device isolation layer and covering the active region around each of the first and second gate lines; and providing an inter-gate insulation region in the space between the first gate line and the second gate line.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/333,491 filed on Oct. 25, 2016, which is adivisional of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/853,442 filed on Sep. 14, 2015, which claims the benefit of KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2014-0157335, filed on Nov. 12, 2014, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which isincorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates to an integrated circuit device and a method ofmanufacturing the same, and more particularly, to an integrated circuitdevice including a field effect transistor (FET) and a method ofmanufacturing the integrated circuit device.

As feature size of a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor isreduced, a length of a gate and a length of a channel formed under thegate are also reduced. Accordingly, in order to improve operationalstability and reliability of transistors, which are important factorsthat decide performance of integrated circuit devices, various attemptsare being made to improve a manufacturing process and a structure of theintegrated circuit devices.

SUMMARY

Example embodiments provide an integrated circuit device including aplurality of gate lines which may prevent problems from occurring nearan isolation region of the gate lines.

Example embodiments provide a method of manufacturing an integratedcircuit device including a plurality of gate lines formed using areplacement metal gate (RMG) process, in which problems occurring nearan isolation region of the gate lines may be prevented.

According to an aspect of the inventive concept, an integrated circuitdevice includes: a plurality of active regions formed on a substrate andextending in a first direction; a first gate line and a second gate lineformed on the substrate, extending in a straight line in a seconddirection and crossing the plurality of active regions, wherein thefirst gate line and the second gate line are spaced apart from eachother; a first gate insulation layer extending in the second directionand covering a first surface of the first gate line facing a portion ofthe plurality of active regions and a first long-axis sidewall of thefirst gate line, while not covering a first short-axis sidewall of thefirst gate line facing the second gate line; a second gate insulationlayer extending in the second direction and covering a second surface ofthe second gate line facing another portion of the plurality of activeregions and a second long-axis sidewall of the second gate line, whilenot covering a second short-axis sidewall of the second gate line facingthe first gate line; and an inter-gate insulation region interposedbetween the first gate line and the second gate line and abutting thefirst short-axis sidewall and the second short-axis sidewall.

The first gate line and the second gate line may each include a metal.

The plurality of active regions may be formed of a plurality of fin-typeactive regions protruding from the substrate. The first gate line mayextend to cover a first group active region including at least onefin-type active region selected from the plurality of fin-type activeregions, and the second gate line may extend to cover a second groupactive region including at least one fin-type active region selectedfrom the plurality of fin-type active regions and spaced apart from thefirst group active region.

The first gate line and the second gate line may each have a planarupper surface, and the planar surfaces may be positioned at a firstlevel on the substrate.

The first gate insulation layer and the second gate insulation layer maybe spaced apart from each other, and the inter-gate insulation regionmay be between the first gate insulation layer and the second gateinsulation layer.

The first gate insulation layer and the second gate insulation layer maybe integrally connected to each other.

The integrated circuit device may further include a third gateinsulation layer interposed between the substrate and the inter-gateinsulation region. The first gate insulation layer and the second gateinsulation layer may be integrally connected to each other via the thirdgate insulation layer.

The integrated circuit device may further include: a first insulationspacer covering the first long-axis sidewall of the first gate line,wherein the first gate insulation layer is between the first insulationspacer and the first long-axis sidewall; and a second insulation spacercovering the second long-axis sidewall of the second gate line, whereinthe second gate insulation layer is between the second insulation spacerand the second long-axis sidewall. The first insulation spacer and thesecond insulation spacer may be integrally connected to each other. Theintegrated circuit device may further include a third insulation spacercovering a portion of the inter-gate insulation region, wherein thefirst insulation spacer and the second insulation spacer are integrallyconnected to each other via the third insulation spacer.

The integrated circuit device may further include: a first insulationspacer covering the first long-axis sidewall of the first gate line,wherein the first gate insulation layer is between the first insulationspacer and the first long-axis sidewall; and a second insulation spacercovering the second long-axis sidewall of the second gate line, whereinthe second gate insulation layer is between the second insulation spacerand the second long-axis sidewall, wherein the first insulation spacerand the second insulation spacer are spaced apart from each other, andthe inter-gate insulation region is between the first insulation spacerand the second insulation spacer.

According to certain aspects of the inventive concept, the plurality ofactive regions, first gate line, second gate line, first gate insulatinglayer, second gate insulating layer, and inter-gate insulation regionform part of a static random access memory (SRAM) array comprising aplurality of SRAM cells formed on the substrate.

The SRAM array may further include: a plurality of inverters eachincluding a pull up transistor and a pull down transistor; a pluralityof pass transistors respectively connected to output nodes of theplurality of inverters, wherein the first gate line is shared by a pullup transistor and a pull down transistor of a first inverter selectedfrom the plurality of inverters, and the second gate line is shared bytwo pass transistors selected from the plurality of pass transistors.

The SRAM array may further include: a plurality of inverters eachincluding a pull up transistor and a pull down transistor; a pluralityof pass transistors respectively connected to output nodes of theplurality of inverters, wherein the first gate line is shared by a pullup transistor and a pull down transistor of a first inverter selectedfrom the plurality of inverters, and the second gate line is shared by apull up transistor and a pull down transistor of a second inverterselected from the plurality of inverters.

The SRAM array may further include a plurality of NMOS transistors and aplurality of PMOS transistors, wherein the first gate line and thesecond gate line are each shared by a plurality of transistors includingchannels of the same conductivity type as one another, selected from theplurality of NMOS transistors and the plurality of PMOS transistors.

The SRAM array may further include a plurality of NMOS transistors and aplurality of PMOS transistors, wherein the first gate line and thesecond gate line are each shared by a plurality of transistors includingchannels of different conductivity types, selected from the plurality ofNMOS transistors and the plurality of PMOS transistors.

The SRAM array may further include a plurality of NMOS transistors and aplurality of PMOS transistors, wherein one of the first gate line andthe second gate line is shared by a plurality of transistors includingchannels of the same conductivity type as one another, selected from theplurality of NMOS transistors and the plurality of PMOS transistors, andthe other of the first gate line and the second gate line is shared by aplurality of transistors including channels of different conductivitytypes, selected from the plurality of NMOS transistors and the pluralityof PMOS transistors.

The plurality of active regions may be formed of a plurality of fin-typeactive regions protruding from the substrate, wherein the first gateline extends to cover two sidewalls and an upper surface of a firstfin-type active region selected from the plurality of active regions,and the second gate line extends to cover two sidewalls and an uppersurface of a second fin-type active region selected from the pluralityof active regions and spaced apart from the first fin-type activeregion.

The first gate line and the second gate line may each include a metallayer extending in the second direction and having a planar uppersurface parallel to the substrate, and the metal layers are positionedat a first level on the substrate.

According to certain aspects of the inventive concept, the substrateincludes a plurality of cells each having a cell boundary and includingat least one logic circuit, the plurality of active regions are includedamong a first cell and a second cell adjacent to each other among theplurality of cells, the first gate line is included in the first cell,and the second gate line is included in the second cell.

The inter-gate insulation region may be disposed between the cellboundary of the first cell and the cell boundary of the second cell.

The plurality of active regions may be formed of a plurality of fin-typeactive regions protruding from the substrate, and the first gate lineand the second gate line may be shared by a plurality of fin fieldeffect transistors (FinFET) formed on the substrate.

The first gate line and the second gate line may be shared by aplurality of planar metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors(MOSFET) formed on the substrate.

The first gate line and the second gate line may each include a metallayer extending in the second direction and having a planar uppersurface parallel to the substrate, wherein the metal layers arepositioned at a first level on the substrate.

According to certain aspects of the inventive concept, a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit device includes: forming a pluralityof active regions on a substrate and a device isolation layer definingthe plurality of active regions, wherein the plurality of active regionsextend in a first direction; forming a dummy gate line on the deviceisolation layer, wherein the dummy gate line extends in a seconddirection and crosses the plurality of active regions; forming a firstsource/drain region and a second source/drain region on portions of theplurality of active regions respectively exposed at opposite sides ofthe dummy gate line; forming an insulation layer covering the deviceisolation layer and the first and second source/drain regions around thedummy gate line; forming a gate hole extending between the first andsecond source/drain regions by removing the dummy gate line; forming agate insulation layer and a gate layer in the gate hole; and dividingthe gate layer into a plurality of gate lines by removing a portion ofthe gate layer on the device isolation layer.

The dividing of the gate layer into a plurality of gate lines mayinclude dividing the gate layer into a first gate line and a second gateline having a space therebetween. The method may further include, afterthe dividing of the gate layer into a plurality of gate lines, formingan inter-gate insulation region in the space.

The inter-gate insulation region may include a silicon oxide, a siliconnitride, air space, or a combination thereof.

A portion of the gate insulation layer may be exposed in the space afterthe dividing of the gate layer, but before the forming of the inter-gateinsulation region, and the inter-gate insulation region may be formed tocontact the exposed portion of the gate insulation layer.

The method may further include dividing the gate insulation layer into afirst gate insulation layer and a second gate insulation layer spacedapart from each other, by removing a portion of the gate insulationlayer on the device isolation layer while dividing the gate layer into aplurality of gate lines. The inter-gate insulation region may be formedbetween and contacts the first gate insulation layer and the second gateinsulation layer.

A portion of the device isolation layer may be exposed in the spaceafter the dividing of the gate layer, but before the forming of theinter-gate insulation region, and the inter-gate insulation region maybe formed to contact the exposed portion of the device isolation layer.

The method may further include forming an insulation spacer on twosidewalls of the dummy gate line after the forming of the dummy gateline, but before the forming of the pair of source/drain regions,wherein after the dividing of the gate layer into a plurality of gatelines, the device isolation layer and the insulation spacer in areasbetween the plurality of gate lines are exposed.

The method may further include forming an inter-gate insulation regionin a space between adjacent gates lines among the plurality of gatelines, wherein the inter-gate insulation region contacts the deviceisolation layer and the insulation spacer.

The method may further include dividing the insulation spacer into afirst insulation spacer and a second insulation spacer spaced apart fromeach other, by removing a portion of the insulation spacer on the deviceisolation layer while dividing the gate layer into a plurality of gatelines. The inter-gate insulation region may be formed between andcontacts the first insulation spacer and the second insulation spacer.

The forming of the plurality of active regions and the device isolationlayer defining the plurality of active regions may include: forming aplurality of fin-type active regions protruding from the substrate;forming an insulation layer covering the plurality of fin-type activeregions; and removing a portion of the insulation layer such that theplurality of fin-type active regions protrude so as to form the deviceisolation layer that is formed of a remaining portion of the insulationlayer.

The dividing of the gate layer into a plurality of gate lines mayinclude dividing the gate layer into a first gate line and a second gateline spaced apart from each other. The first gate line and the secondgate line may cross at least two of the plurality of active regions.

According to certain aspects of the inventive concept, a methodincludes: providing a plurality of active regions on a substrate, and atleast a first device isolation layer between two of the plurality ofactive regions, wherein the plurality of active regions extend in afirst direction; providing a first source/drain region and a secondsource/drain region on portions of each of the plurality of activeregions; providing a gate layer extending in a second direction, thegate layer forming a plurality of gate lines including a first gate lineand a second gate line extending in a straight line with respect to eachother and having a space therebetween, each of the first gate line andsecond gate line crossing at least one of the active regions, whereinfirst source/drain region and second source/drain region each arerespectively disposed on opposite sides of a respective gate line;providing an insulation layer covering the first device isolation layerand covering the first and second source/drain regions around each ofthe first and second gate lines; and providing an inter-gate insulationregion in the space between the first gate line and the second gateline.

The method may further include, prior to providing the gate layer,forming a dummy gate line on the device isolation layer, wherein: thedummy gate line extends in the second direction and crosses theplurality of active regions, and the dummy gate line is formed between aplurality of first source/drain regions and respective secondsource/drain regions on portions of the plurality of active regionsrespectively exposed at two opposite sides of the dummy gate line. Themethod may further include forming a gate hole extending between therespective first and second source/drain regions by removing the dummygate line; and forming a gate insulation layer and the gate layer in thegate hole.

Forming the first and second gate lines and the space therebetween mayinclude removing a portion of the gate layer on the device isolationlayer.

Forming the inter-gate insulation region may include filling aninsulative material in the space created by removing the portion of thegate layer.

The inter-gate insulation region may include a silicon oxide, a siliconnitride, air space, or a combination thereof.

The method may include providing an insulation spacer on a sidewall ofthe gate layer, the insulation spacer extending continuously between thefirst gate line and the second gate line.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Example embodiments of the inventive concept will be more clearlyunderstood from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of particular elements of an integratedcircuit device according to example embodiments of the inventiveconcept; FIG. 1B is a plan view of the particular elements of theintegrated circuit device of FIG. 1A; FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional viewof the integrated circuit device cut along line C-C′ of FIG. 1B; FIG. 1Dis a cross-sectional view of the integrated circuit device cut alongline D-D′ of FIG. 1B; FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view of theintegrated circuit device cut along line E-E′ of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of particular elements of an integratedcircuit device according to certain example embodiments of the inventiveconcept; FIG. 2B is a plan view of the particular elements of theintegrated circuit device of FIG. 2A; FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional viewof the integrated circuit device cut along line C-C′ of FIG. 2B; FIG. 2Dis a cross-sectional view of the integrated circuit device cut alongline D-D′ of FIG. 2B; FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view of theintegrated circuit device cut along line E-E′ of FIG. 2B;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of particular elements of an integratedcircuit device according to certain example embodiments of the inventiveconcept; FIG. 3B is a plan view of the particular elements of theintegrated circuit device of FIG. 3A; FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional viewof the integrated circuit device cut along line C-C′ of FIG. 3B; FIG. 3Dis a cross-sectional view of the integrated circuit device cut alongline D-D′ of FIG. 3B; FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view of theintegrated circuit device cut along line E-E′ of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure of a gate lineof an integrated circuit device according to certain example embodimentsof the inventive concept;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example structureof a gate line of an integrated circuit device according to certainexample embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an integrated circuit deviceaccording to certain example embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 7A is a plan view illustrating particular elements of an integratedcircuit device according to example embodiments of the inventiveconcept; FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the integrated circuitdevice of FIG. 7A cut along line 7B-7B′;

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating an integrated circuit deviceaccording to example embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 9A is a plan view illustrating particular elements of an integratedcircuit device according to example embodiments of the inventiveconcept; FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the integrated circuitdevice of FIG. 9A cut along line 9B-9B′;

FIGS. 10A through 20C are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit device according to exampleembodiments of the inventive concept in a process order; FIGS. 10Athrough 20A are cross-sectional views illustrating a portion of anintegrated circuit device corresponding to the cross-section cut alongline C-C′ of FIG. 1B; FIGS. 10B through 20B are respectivecross-sectional views of the integrated circuit device of FIGS. 10Athrough 20A cut along line PB-PB′; FIGS. 10C through 20C are respectivecross-sectional views of the integrated circuit device of FIGS. 10Athrough 20A cut along line PC-PC′;

FIGS. 21A through 25B are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit device according to certain exampleembodiments of the inventive concept in a process order; FIGS. 21Athrough 25A are cross-sectional views illustrating a portion of anintegrated circuit device corresponding to the cross-section cut alongline C-C′ of FIG. 1B; FIGS. 21B through 25B are respectivecross-sectional views of the integrated circuit device of FIGS. 21Athrough 25A cut along line PC-PC′;

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a method of manufacturing anintegrated circuit device according to certain example embodiments ofthe inventive concept;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating an integrated circuit deviceaccording to example embodiments of the inventive concept;

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining an example of an electronic systemincluding an integrated circuit device according to example embodimentsof the inventive concept; and

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a memory systemincluding an integrated circuit device according to the inventiveconcept.

These figures are exemplary only, and therefore show examples of certainembodiments. Therefore, figures illustrating a more detailed view or adifferent view of an item from a previous figure are only showingexamples of that feature and do not limit that feature to the examplesshown. Thus, the figures are not intended to limit the scope of theinvention to any particular examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “atleast one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire listof elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

Hereinafter, the inventive concept will be described more fully withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments ofthe invention are shown. In the drawings, like elements are labeled withlike reference numerals and repeated description thereof will beomitted.

This inventive concept may, however, be embodied in many different formsand should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments setforth herein.

In the present description, terms such as ‘first’, ‘second’, etc. areused to describe various members, areas, layers, regions, and/orcomponents. However, the members, areas, layers, regions, and/orcomponents should not be defined by these terms. Unless the contextindicates otherwise, these terms should not be construed as indicatingany particular order or whether an element is at the upper or lower sideor superior or inferior, and are used only for distinguishing onemember, area, layer, region, or component from another member, area,layer, region, or component. Thus, a first member, area, layer, region,or component described in one part of the specification may also bereferred to as a second member, area, layer, region, or component, inanother part of the specification, without departing from the teachingof the inventive concept. Also, without departing from the scope of theinventive concept, a first component may be referred to as a secondcomponent, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as afirst component. Further, the terms “first,” “second,” etc., may be usedin the claims to differentiate different components or steps from eachother, for example as a naming convention, even though those terms“first,” “second,” etc., are not explicitly recited in the specificationto refer to those components or steps.

Unless defined differently, all terms used in the description includingtechnical and scientific terms have the same meaning as generallyunderstood by those skilled in the art. Terms that are commonly used anddefined in a dictionary should be construed as having the same meaningas in an associated technical context, and unless defined apparently inthe description, the terms are not ideally or excessively construed ashaving formal meaning.

When an example embodiment is implementable in another manner, apredetermined process order may be different from a described one. Forexample, two processes that are consecutively described may besubstantially simultaneously performed or may be performed in anopposite order to the described order.

In the drawings, for example, according to the manufacturing techniquesand/or tolerances, shapes of the illustrated elements may be modified.Thus, the inventive concept should not be construed as being limited tothe example embodiments set forth herein, and should include, forexample, shape variations caused during manufacture.

It will be understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or“includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specifythe presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations,elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence oraddition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be further understood that when an element is referred to asbeing “connected” or “coupled” to or “on” another element, it can bedirectly connected or coupled to or on the other element or interveningelements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to asbeing “directly connected” or “directly coupled” to another element,there are no intervening elements present. Other words used to describethe relationship between elements should be interpreted in a likefashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus“directly adjacent,” etc.). However, the term “contact,” as used hereinrefers to direct contact (i.e., touching) unless the context indicatesotherwise.

Embodiments described herein will be described referring to plan viewsand/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views.Accordingly, the example views may be modified depending onmanufacturing technologies and/or tolerances. Therefore, the disclosedembodiments are not limited to those shown in the views, but includemodifications in configuration formed on the basis of manufacturingprocesses. Therefore, regions exemplified in figures may have schematicproperties, and shapes of regions shown in figures may exemplifyspecific shapes of regions of elements to which aspects of the inventionare not limited.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element's or feature's relationship to another element(s)or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

Terms such as “same,” “planar,” or “coplanar,” as used herein whenreferring to orientation, layout, location, shapes, sizes, amounts, orother measures do not necessarily mean an exactly identical orientation,layout, location, shape, size, amount, or other measure, but areintended to encompass nearly identical orientation, layout, location,shapes, sizes, amounts, or other measures within acceptable variationsthat may occur, for example, due to manufacturing processes. The term“substantially” may be used herein to reflect this meaning.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of particular elements of an integratedcircuit device 100 according to example embodiments of the inventiveconcept.

FIG. 1B is a plan view of the particular elements of the integratedcircuit device 100 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional view of theintegrated circuit device 100 cut along line C-C′ of FIG. 1B. FIG. 1D isa cross-sectional view of the integrated circuit device 100 cut alongline D-D′ of FIG. 1B. FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional view of theintegrated circuit device 100 cut along line E-E′ of FIG. 1B.

Because the integrated circuit devices described herein may be formed ofsemiconductor materials, they may be referred to herein as semiconductordevices. As used herein, an integrated circuit device, or semiconductordevice, may refer to a transistor, or a group of transistors or anintegrated circuit including such a group of transistors such asdepicted in various of the figures herein. A semiconductor device orintegrated circuit device may also refer to a device such as asemiconductor chip (e.g., memory chip and/or logic chip formed on adie), a stack of semiconductor chips, a semiconductor package includingone or more semiconductor chips stacked on a package substrate, or apackage-on-package device including a plurality of packages. Thesedevices may be formed using ball grid arrays, wire bonding, throughsubstrate vias, or other electrical connection elements, and may includememory devices such as volatile or non-volatile memory devices.

An electronic device, as used herein, may refer to any of thesesemiconductor devices, but may additionally include products thatinclude these devices, such as a memory module, a hard drive includingadditional components, or a mobile phone, laptop, tablet, desktop,camera, or other consumer electronic device, etc.

Referring to FIGS. 1A through 1E, the integrated circuit device 100 maybe provided to include a plurality of active regions AC extending on asubstrate 110 in a first direction (X direction).

In some embodiments, the substrate 110 may include a semiconductor suchas Ge or a compound semiconductor such as SiGe, SiC, GaAs, InAs or InP.According to certain example embodiments, the substrate 110 may have asilicon on insulator (SOI) structure. The substrate 110 may include aconductive region such as an impurity-doped well or an impurity-dopedstructure.

The plurality of active regions AC extend in parallel to one another inthe first direction (X direction). The plurality of active regions ACmay be formed of a plurality of fin-type active regions protruding fromthe substrate 110.

A device isolation layer 112 is formed between two adjacent activeregions AC among the plurality of active regions AC on the substrate110. The plurality of active regions AC may protrude from the deviceisolation layer 112 in the form of fins. The device isolation layerbetween two fins or two active regions may be referred to as a deviceisolation region. The device isolation regions may each separate activeregions from each other.

A first gate line GLA and a second gate line GLB extend across thesubstrate 110 in a straight line in a second direction (Y direction) tocross the plurality of active regions AC. The first gate line GLA andthe second gate line GLB extend across the device isolation layer 112 tocross the plurality of active regions AC while covering an upper surfaceand two sidewalls of each of the plurality of active regions AC.

In some embodiments, the first gate line GLA may extend to cover a firstgroup active region AC1 including at least one active region AC selectedfrom the plurality of active regions AC. The second gate line GLB mayextend to cover a second group active region AC2 including at least oneactive region AC selected from the plurality of active regions AC andseparated from the first group active region AC1. Although the firstgroup active region AC1 and the second group active region AC2 eachincluding two active regions AC are illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 1E,the inventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, the firstgroup active region AC1 and the second group active region AC2 may eachinclude one active region AC or three or more active regions AC.

In certain embodiments, the first gate line GLA and the second gate lineGLB may each include a metal. The first gate line GLA and the secondgate line GLB may respectively include upper surfaces GTA and GTB, whichmay be planar, each upper surface extending in the second direction (Ydirection) and extending in parallel to the substrate 110 at a firstlevel LV1 on the substrate 110. The upper surfaces GTA and GTB may beportions of a metal layer, which the first gate line GLA and the secondgate line GLB are formed of The upper surfaces GTA and GTB may extend inparallel to an extension direction of the substrate 110, for example, anextension direction of an X-Y plane.

In some embodiments, the first gate line GLA and the second gate lineGLB may have a structure in which a metal nitride layer, a metal layer,a conductive capping layer, and a gap-fill metal layer are sequentiallystacked. For example, the metal nitride layer and the metal layer mayinclude at least one of Ti, Ta, W, Ru, Nb, Mo, and Hf. The metal layerand the metal nitride layer may be formed using an atomic layerdeposition (ALD) process, a metal organic ALD (MOALD) process, or ametal organic CVD (MOCVD) process. The conductive capping layer mayfunction as a protection layer that prevents oxidation of a surface ofthe metal layer. Also, the conductive capping layer may function as anadhesive layer (wetting layer) to facilitate deposition of anotherconductive layer on the metal layer. The conductive capping layer may beformed of a metal nitride, for example, TiN, TaN, or a combination ofthese, but is not limited thereto. The gap-fill metal layer may extendon the conductive capping layer while filling space between theplurality of active regions AC. For example, the gap-fill metal layermay be formed of a W layer or a TiN layer. The gap-fill metal layer maybe formed, for example, using an ALD process, a chemical vapordeposition (CVD) process or a physical vapor deposition (PVD) process.The gap-fill metal layer may fill recess space formed by a step portionon an upper surface of the conductive capping layer in the space betweenthe plurality of active regions AC without void.

A first gate insulation layer 118A is interposed between the first gateline GLA and some of the plurality of active regions AC. Also, a secondgate insulation layer 118B is interposed between the second gate lineGLB and some of the plurality of active regions AC.

The integrated circuit device 100 may further include an interface layer(not shown) that is interposed between the first gate insulation layer118A and/or the second gate insulation layer 118B and the plurality ofactive regions AC. In some embodiments, the interface layer may beobtained by oxidizing a surface of the plurality of active regions AC,but is not limited thereto. The interface layer may prevent a defectinterface between the plurality of active regions AC and the first gateinsulation layer 118A and/or the second gate insulation layer 118B. Insome embodiments, the interface layer may be formed of a low-kdielectric material layer having a permittivity of 9 or less, forexample, of a silicon oxide layer, a silicon oxynitride layer or acombination of these. In some another example embodiments, the interfacelayer may be formed of a silicate or a combination of silicate and thematerials of the above-described insulation material layers.

The first gate insulation layer 118A covers a portion of the first gateline GLA. According to the example embodiment of FIGS. 1A through 1E,the first gate insulation layer 118A covers a first surface G1A of thefirst gate line GLA facing a portion of the plurality of active regionsAC and a first long-axis sidewall G2A of the first gate line GLAextending in the second direction (Y direction) but does not cover afirst short-axis sidewall G3A of the first gate line GLA facing thesecond gate line GLB.

The second gate insulation layer 118B covers a portion of the secondgate line GLB. According to the example embodiment of FIGS. 1A through1E, the second gate insulation layer 118B covers a second surface G1B ofthe second gate line GLB facing a portion of the plurality of activeregions AC and a second long-axis sidewall G2B of the second gate lineGLB extending in the second direction (Y direction) but does not cover asecond short-axis sidewall G3B of the second gate line GLB facing thefirst gate line GLA.

The first gate line GLA and the second gate line GLB are spaced apartfrom each other with an inter-gate insulation region IGR1 includedtherebetween. The inter-gate insulation region IGR1 may be disposed notto vertically overlap the plurality of active regions AC. The inter-gateinsulation region IGR1 may be disposed on the device isolation layer112.

The inter-gate insulation region IGR1 may be formed of a singleinsulation material or a plurality of insulation materials. In someembodiments, the inter-gate insulation region IGR1 may be formed of asilicon oxide, a silicon nitride, air space or a combination of these.

The inter-gate insulation region IGR1 may abut on the first short-axissidewall G3A of the first gate line GLA and the second short-axissidewall G3B of the second gate line GLB.

A plurality of metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors may be formedalong the first gate line GLA and the second gate line GLB. In someembodiments, the plurality of MOS transistors may be formed ofthree-dimensional MOS transistors in which a channel is formed on twoside walls and an upper surface of each of a plurality of active regionsAC. In some another example embodiments, channels of the plurality ofMOS transistors may be formed on two sidewalls of a plurality of activeregions AC but not on an upper surface of the plurality of activeregions AC.

The first gate insulation layer 118A and the second gate insulationlayer 118B are spaced apart from each other with the inter-gateinsulation region IGR1 included therebetween.

The first gate insulation layer 118A and the second gate insulationlayer 118B may be formed of a silicon oxide layer, a high-k dielectriclayer, or a combination of these. The high-k dielectric layer may beformed of a material having a higher dielectric constant than a siliconoxide layer. For example, the gate insulation layer 118 may have adielectric constant of about 10 to about 25. In certain embodiments, thehigh-k dielectric layer may be formed of a material selected from thegroup consisting of hafnium oxide, hafnium oxynitride, hafnium siliconoxide, lanthanum oxide, lanthanum aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide,zirconium silicon oxide, tantalum oxide, titanium oxide, bariumstrontium titanium oxide, barium titanium oxide, strontium titaniumoxide, yttrium oxide, aluminum oxide, lead scandium tantalum oxide, leadzinc niobate, and a combination of these, but the high-k dielectriclayer is not limited thereto. The first gate insulation layer 118A andthe second gate insulation layer 118B may be formed using, for example,an ALD process, a CVD process, or a PVD process.

The first long-axis sidewalls G2A on two sides of the first gate lineGLA are covered by a first insulation spacer 124A, and the first gateinsulation layer 118A is interposed between the first insulation spacer124A and the first long-axis sidewalls G2A. Also, the second long-axissidewalls G2B on two sides of the second gate line GLB are covered by asecond insulation spacer 124B, and the second gate insulation layer 118Bis interposed between the second insulation spacer 124B and the secondlong-axis sidewalls G2B. Two sidewalls of the inter-gate insulationregion IGR1 (e.g., opposite sidewalls that extend in the same directionas the first and second long-axis sidewalls G2A and G2B) are covered bya third insulation spacer 124C. In one embodiment, the first insulationspacer 124A and the second insulation spacer 124B are integrallyconnected to each other via the third insulation spacer 124C to form asingle insulation spacer 124. The single insulation spacer 124 may becontinuously formed of a same material throughout, which may be ahomogenous material. In addition, each single insulation spacer 124,and/or two opposite single insulation spacers 124 may be formed in asingle process. In some embodiments, the first through third insulationspacers 124A, 124B, and 124C forming the insulation spacer 124 may beformed of a silicon nitride layer, but are not limited thereto.

A width W11 of the inter-gate insulation region IGR1 in the firstdirection (X direction) (refer to FIGS. 1B and 1E) may be defined by thethird insulation spacers 124C respectively disposed on two sides of theinter-gate insulation region IGR1. A width W12 of the inter-gateinsulation region IGR1 in the second direction (Y direction) (refer toFIG. 1C) may be defined by the first gate line GLA and the second gateline GLB.

In certain embodiments, the width W11 of the inter-gate insulationregion IGR1 in the first direction (X direction) (refer to FIGS. 1B and1E) is smaller than a first distance L11 (refer to FIG. 1B) in the firstdirection (X direction) between external sidewalls of the pair of firstinsulation spacers 124A covering the first long-axis sidewall G2A on twosides of the first gate line GLA, and smaller than a second distance L12(refer to FIG. 1B) in the first direction (X direction) between externalsidewalls of the pair of second insulation spacers 124B covering thesecond long-axis sidewall G2B on two sides of the second gate line GLB.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of particular elements of an integratedcircuit device 200 according to certain example embodiments of theinventive concept.

FIG. 2B is a plan view of the particular elements of the integratedcircuit device 200 of FIG. 2A. FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of theintegrated circuit device 200 cut along line C-C′ of FIG. 2B. FIG. 2D isa cross-sectional view of the integrated circuit device 200 cut alongline D-D′ of FIG. 2B. FIG. 2E is a cross-sectional view of theintegrated circuit device 200 cut along line E-E′ of FIG. 2B.

Like reference numerals in FIGS. 2A through 2E denote like elements inFIGS. 1A through 1E, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 2A through 2E, a first gate insulation layer 218A isinterposed between the first gate line GLA and the first group activeregion AC1, which includes some active regions AC selected from amongthe plurality of active regions AC. Also, a second gate insulation layer218B is interposed between the second gate line GLB and the second groupactive region AC2, which includes other active regions AC selected fromamong the plurality of active regions AC.

According to the example embodiment of FIGS. 2A through 2E, the firstgate insulation layer 218A covers a first surface G1A facing a portionof the plurality of active regions AC and a second long-axis sidewallG2A of the first gate line GLA extending in the second direction (Ydirection) but does not cover a first short-axis sidewall G3A of thefirst gate line GLA facing the second gate line GLB. The second gateinsulation layer 218B covers a second surface G1B facing a portion ofthe plurality of active regions AC and a first long-axis sidewall G2Bextending in the second direction (Y direction), of the second gate lineGLB, but does not cover a second short-axis sidewall G3B of the secondgate line GLB facing the first gate line GLA.

The first gate line GLA and the second gate line GLB are spaced apartfrom each other with an inter-gate insulation region IGR2 includedtherebetween.

The inter-gate insulation region IGR2 may be formed of a singleinsulation material or a plurality of insulation materials. In someembodiments, the inter-gate insulation region IGR2 may be formed of asilicon oxide, a silicon nitride, air space or a combination of these.

The inter-gate insulation region IGR2 may abut on the first short-axissidewall G3A of the first gate line GLA and the second short-axissidewall G3B of the second gate line GLB.

The integrated circuit device 200 further includes a third gateinsulation layer 218C interposed between the substrate 110 and theinter-gate insulation region IGR2. The first gate insulation layer 218Aand the second gate insulation layer 218B are integrally connected toeach other via the third gate insulation layer 218C. The integrallyformed first, second, and third gate insulating layers 218A, 218B, and218C may be continuously formed of a same material throughout, which maybe a homogenous material. In addition, the three gate insulating layersmay be formed in a single process.

In regard to further details of the first through third gate insulationlayers 218A, 218B, and 218C, descriptions of the first and second gateinsulation layers 118A and 118B provided with reference to FIGS. 1Athrough 1E also apply to the first through third gate insulation layers218A, 218B, and 218C.

A width W21 of the inter-gate insulation region IGR2 in the firstdirection (X direction) (refer to FIGS. 2B and 2E) may be defined by thethird gate insulation layers 218C respectively disposed on two sides ofthe inter-gate insulation region IGR2. A width W22 of the inter-gateinsulation region IGR2 in the second direction (Y direction) (refer toFIG. 2C) may be defined by the first gate line GLA and the second gateline GLB.

The width W21 of the inter-gate insulation region IGR2 in the firstdirection (X direction) (refer to FIGS. 2B and 2E) is smaller than afirst distance L21 (refer to FIG. 2B) in the first direction (Xdirection) between external sidewalls of the pair of first gateinsulation layers 218A covering the first long-axis sidewall G2A on twosides of the first gate line GLA, and smaller than a second distance L22(refer to FIG. 2B) in the first direction (X direction) between externalsidewalls of the pair of second gate insulation layers 218B covering thesecond long-axis sidewall G2B on two sides of the second gate line GLB.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of particular elements of an integratedcircuit device 300 according to certain example embodiments of theinventive concept.

FIG. 3B is a plan view of the particular elements of the integratedcircuit device 300 illustrated in FIG. 3A. FIG. 3C is a cross-sectionalview of the integrated circuit device 300 cut along line C-C′ of FIG.3B. FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the integrated circuit device300 cut along line D-D′ of FIG. 3B. FIG. 3E is a cross-sectional view ofthe integrated circuit device 300 cut along line E-E′ of FIG. 3B.

Like reference numerals in FIGS. 3A through 3E denote like elements asin FIGS. 1A through 1E, and description thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 3A through 3E, the integrated circuit device 300includes the first insulation spacer 124A covering the first long-axissidewall G2A on two sides of the first gate line GLA with the first gateinsulation layer 118A interposed between the first insulation spacer124A and the first long-axis sidewall G2A. Also, the integrated circuitdevice 300 includes the second insulation spacer 124B covering thesecond long-axis sidewall G2B on two sides of the second gate line GLBwith the second gate insulation layer 118B interposed between the secondinsulation spacer 124B and the second long-axis sidewall G2B.

The first gate insulation spacer 124A and the second insulation spacer124B are spaced apart from each other with an inter-gate insulationregion IGR3 included therebetween.

The width W31 of the inter-gate insulation region IGR3 in the firstdirection (X direction) (refer to FIGS. 3A and 3B) is greater than afirst distance L31 (refer to FIG. 3B) in the first direction (Xdirection) between external sidewalls of the pair of first insulationspacers 124A covering the first long-axis sidewall G2A on two sides ofthe first gate line GLA, and greater than a second distance L32 (referto FIG. 3B) in the first direction (X direction) between externalsidewalls of the pair of second insulation spacers 124B covering thesecond long-axis sidewall G2B on two sides of the second gate line GLB.

A width W32 of the inter-gate insulation region IGR3 in the seconddirection (Y direction) (refer to FIG. 3C) may be defined by the firstgate line GLA and the second gate line GLB. In this embodiment, incontrast to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A through 1E, the firstinsulating spacer 124A may be separated from the second insulatingspacer 124B by the inter-gate insulation region IGR3, and no thirdinsulating spacer (e.g., 124C in FIGS. 1A through 1E) may be formed.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a gate line GL1 having astructure illustrative of respective structures of the first gate lineGLA and/or the second gate line GLB included in the integrated circuitdevices 100, 200, and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 3E, accordingto another example embodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the integrated circuit device 100corresponding to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1D cut along line D-D′of FIG. 1B. The first gate line GLA and the second gate line GLBincluded in the integrated circuit devices 100, 200, and 300 illustratedin FIGS. 1A through 3E may each have the same structure as the gate lineGL1 illustrated in FIG. 4. While FIG. 4 illustrates a structure in whicha portion of the gate line GL1 is covered by the first gate insulationlayer 118A and the first insulation spacer 124A illustrated in FIGS. 1Athrough 1E, the example embodiments of the inventive concept are notlimited thereto, and the structure may be modified or changed in variousmanners.

Referring to FIG. 4, the gate line GL1 may be formed of ametal-containing layer 130A including a metal nitride-containing layer132, a work-function adjusting metal-containing layer 134, a conductivecapping layer 136, and a gap-fill metal layer 138 that are sequentiallyformed on the first gate insulation layer 118A in a U-shape.

The metal nitride-containing layer 132 may be formed, for example, of aTi nitride layer.

The work function adjusting metal-containing layer 134 may include, forexample, at least one first metal of Ta and Ti. In some embodiments, thework function adjusting metal-containing layer 134 may include Al atomsor C atoms.

In certain embodiments, the conductive capping layer 136 may be formedof TiN, TaN, or a combination of these. In some embodiments, theconductive capping layer 136 may be omitted.

The gap-fill metal layer 138 may be formed, for example, of a metalhaving excellent gap-fill characteristics. In some embodiments, thegap-fill metal layer 138 may include W or TiN. The gap-fill metal layer138 may fill recess space that may be formed on an upper surface of theconductive capping layer 136 without void.

In certain embodiments, when the gate line GL1 is used to form an NMOStransistor, the work-function adjusting metal-containing layer 134 maybe formed to have a work function between about 4.1 eV to about 4.5 eV.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating another example structureof a gate line GL2 that may be included in the first gate line GLAand/or the second gate line GLB included in the integrated circuitdevices 100, 200, and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 3E, accordingto certain example embodiments of the inventive concept.

FIG. 5 illustrates a portion of the integrated circuit device 100corresponding to the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1D cut along line D-D′of FIG. 1B. The first gate line GLA and the second gate line GLBincluded in the integrated circuit devices 100, 200, and 300 illustratedin FIGS. 1A through 3E may each have the same structure as the gate lineGL2 illustrated in FIG. 5.

Like reference numerals in FIG. 5 denote like elements as in FIG. 4, anddescription thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 5, the gate line GL2 may be formed of ametal-containing layer 130B including a first metal nitride-containinglayer 131, a second metal-nitride-containing layer 133, an Al-dopedmetal-containing layer 135, a conductive capping layer 136, and agap-fill metal layer 138 that are sequentially formed on the first gateinsulation layer 118A in a U-shape.

The first metal nitride-containing layer 131 and the second metalnitride-containing layer 133 may be formed, for example, of metalnitride including at least one metal of Ti, Ta, W, Ru, Nb, Mo, and Hf.In some embodiments, the first metal nitride-containing layer 131 andthe second metal nitride-containing layer 133 may be formed of a Tinitride layer having an N content that is higher than a Ti content. Thefirst metal nitride-containing layer 131 and the second metalnitride-containing layer 133 may each further include an O (oxygen)component.

In some embodiments, the first metal nitride-containing layer 131 andthe second metal nitride-containing layer 133 may have differentthicknesses. In some embodiments, a nitrogen content in the first metalnitride-containing layer 131 may be higher than a nitrogen content inthe second metal nitride-containing layer 133, but the inventive conceptis not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first metalnitride-containing layer 131 includes a different metal element from thesecond metal-nitride-containing layer 133. In other embodiments, thefirst metal nitride-containing layer 131 has the same metal element asthe second metal-nitride-containing layer 133.

In some embodiments, the second metal nitride-containing layer 133 mayhave the same composition and the same thickness as those of the metalnitride-containing layer 132 described with reference to FIG. 4.

When the gate line GL2 is used to form a PMOS transistor, a workfunction may be determined based on the first metal nitride-containinglayer 131 and the second metal nitride-containing layer 133. In someembodiments, the first metal nitride-containing layer 131 and the secondmetal nitride-containing layer 133 may be formed to have a work functionbetween about 4.8 eV and about 5.2 eV.

The Al-doped metal-containing layer 135 may function as a barrierblocking diffusion of Al atoms into the first gate insulation layer118A. In some embodiments, the Al-doped metal-containing layer 135 mayhave the same composition and the same thickness as those of thework-function adjusting metal-containing layer 134 described withreference to FIG. 4.

The different elements of the various integrated circuit devicesdescribed in FIGS. 1 through 5 may be provided as part of differentelectronic devices. Certain examples of these electronic devices will bedescribed in connection with FIGS. 6 through 9 and 27 through 29 below.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating an integrated circuit device400 according to certain example embodiments of the inventive concept.In FIG. 6, a 6 T static random access memory (SRAM) including sixtransistors is illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 6, the integrated circuit device 400 may include afirst inverter INV1 and a second inverter INV2 connected in parallelbetween a power supply node Vcc and a ground node Vss, and a first passtransistor PS1 and a second pass transistor PS2 respectively connectedto output nodes of the first and second inverters INV1 and INV2. Thefirst pass transistor PS1 and the second pass transistor PS2 may beconnected to a bit line BL and a complementary bit line /BL,respectively. Gates of the first pass transistor PS1 and the second passtransistor PS2 may be connected to word lines WL.

The first inverter INV1 includes a first pull up transistor PU1 and afirst pull down transistor PD1 connected in series, and the secondinverter INV2 includes a second pull up transistor PU2 and a second pulldown transistor PD2 connected in series. The first pull up transistorPU1 and the second pull up transistor PU2 may each be formed of a PMOStransistor, and the first pull down transistor PD1 and the second pulldown transistor PD2 may each be formed of an NMOS transistor.

In order for the first inverter INV1 and the second inverter INV2 toform a latch circuit, an input node of the first inverter INV1 isconnected to an output node of the second inverter INV2, and an inputnode of the second inverter INV2 is connected to an output node of thefirst inverter INV1.

FIG. 7A is a plan view illustrating particular elements of an integratedcircuit device 400A according to example embodiments of the inventiveconcept. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the integrated circuitdevice 400A cut along line 7B-7B′ of FIG. 7A. Like reference numerals inFIGS. 7A and 7B denote like elements as in FIGS. 1A through 6, anddescription thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the integrated circuit device 400Aincludes a SRAM array 410 including a plurality of SRAM cells 410A,410B, 410C, and 410D that are arranged in a matrix on a substrate. Thefour SRAM cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D, each including six FinFETs,are illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B.

The SRAM array 410 may have the characteristics of the integratedcircuit devices 100, 200, and 300 according to the inventive conceptdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1A through 5.

The plurality of SRAM cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D may have thecircuit structure illustrated in FIG. 6.

The plurality of SRAM cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D include aplurality of active regions AC extending in parallel to one another inthe first direction (X direction). The plurality of active regions ACmay each be formed of a plurality of fin-type active regions protrudingfrom the substrate 110.

Also, the plurality of SRAM cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D may includea plurality of gate lines SGL extending and covering two sidewalls andan upper surface of the plurality of active regions AC and extending inthe second direction (Y direction) across the first direction (Xdirection) and in parallel to one another. Two adjacent gate lines ofthe plurality of gate lines SGL may have a structure corresponding tothe first gate line GLA or the second gate line GLB described withreference to FIGS. 1A through 3E.

An inter-gate insulation region IGR may be interposed between twoadjacent gate lines of the plurality of gate lines SGL (e.g., in the Ydirection). The inter-gate insulation region IGR may have the same orsimilar structure as the inter-gate insulation region IGR1 describedwith reference to FIGS. 1A through 1E, the inter-gate insulation regionIGR2 described with reference to FIGS. 2A through 2E, or the inter-gateinsulation region IGR3 described with reference to FIGS. 3A through 3E.

A first pull up transistor PU1, a first pull down transistor PD1, afirst pass transistor PS1, a second pull up transistor PU2, a secondpull down transistor PD2, and a second pass transistor PS2 that are usedto form the plurality of SRAM cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D may eachbe formed of a fin-type transistor. In detail, the first pull uptransistor PU1 and the second pull up transistor PU2 may each be formedof a PMOS transistor, and the first pull down transistor PD1 and thesecond pull down transistor PD2 may each be formed of an NMOStransistor.

The plurality of gate lines SGL extend in parallel to one another in adirection to cross the plurality of active regions AC in the pluralityof SRAM cells 410A, 410B, 410C, and 410D of the SRAM array 410.

A transistor may be formed at each point of intersection between theplurality of active regions AC and the plurality of gate lines SGL. Forexample, in the SRAM cell 410A, a transistor may be formed at each ofsix points of intersection between the plurality of active regions ACand the plurality of gate lines SGL; for example, six transistors may beformed in the SRAM cell 410A.

For example, in the SRAM cell 410A, the first pass transistor PS1 isformed at a point of intersection between an active region AC5 and agate line SGL3. The second pass transistor PS2 is formed at a point ofintersection between an active region AC1 and a gate line SGL2. Thefirst pull down transistor PD1 is formed at a point of intersectionbetween the active region AC5 and a gate line SGL1. The second pull downtransistor PD2 is formed at a point of intersection between the activeregion AC1 and a gate line SGL4. The first pull up transistor PU1 isformed at a point of intersection between an active region AC4 and thegate line SGL1. The second pull up transistor PU2 is formed at a pointof intersection between an active region AC3 and the gate line SGL4.Each of the plurality of gate lines SGL may be shared by twotransistors.

For example, as in the SRAM cell 410A, the gate line SGL1 may be sharedby the first pull down transistor PD1 and the first pull up transistorPU1. Also, the gate line SGL2 which forms a straight line with the gateline SGL1 and is adjacent thereto with the inter-gate insulation regionIGR interposed therebetween may form the second pass transistor PS2.

In the two adjacent SRAM cells 410A and 410B, from among the twoadjacent gate lines SGL that are in a straight line and include theinter-gate insulation region IGR therebetween, the gate line SGL1 in theSRAM cell 410A may be shared by the first pull up transistor PU1 and thefirst pull down transistor PD1 of the SRAM cell 410A, and the gate lineSGLS that is adjacent to the gate line SGL1 with the inter-gateinsulation region IGR interposed therebetween may be shared by the firstpull up transistor PU1 and the first pull down transistor PD1 of theSRAM cell 410B.

According to an example embodiment, from among the plurality of gatelines SGL, two gate lines SGL that are adjacent to each other with theinter-gate insulation region IGR interposed therebetween may be eachshared by two transistors having channels of the same conductivity type.

According to another example embodiment, from among the plurality ofgate lines SGL, two gate lines SGL that are adjacent to each other withthe inter-gate insulation region IGR interposed therebetween may be eachshared by two transistors having channels of different conductivitytypes.

According to another example embodiment, from among the plurality ofgate lines SGL, one gate line SGL selected from two gate lines SGL thatare adjacent to each other with the inter-gate insulation region IGRinterposed therebetween may be shared by two transistors having channelsof the same conductivity type, and the other gate line SGL may be sharedby two transistors having channels of different conductivity types.

In the example embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the gate line SGL1 of theSRAM cell 410A may be shared by the first pull down transistor PD1formed of an NMOS transistor and the first pull up transistor PU1 formedof a PMOS transistor. Also, the gate line SGL5 that is adjacent to thegate line SGL1 and, together with the inter-gate insulation region IGRdisposed between the gate line SGL1 and the gate line SGL5, forms theSRAM 410B, may be shared by the first pull down transistor PD1 formed ofan NMOS transistor and the first pull up transistor PU1 formed of a PMOStransistor.

Also, in the two adjacent SRAM cells 410A and 410B, from among the twogate lines SGL that are in a straight line and are adjacent to eachother with the inter-gate insulation region IGR interposed therebetween,the gate line SGL4 in the SRAM cell 410A may be shared by the secondpull up transistor PU2 formed of a PMOS transistor and the second pulldown transistor PD2 formed of an NMOS transistor, and the gate line SGL3that is adjacent to the gate line SGL4, with the inter-gate insulationregion IGR included between the gate line SGL4 and the gate line SLG3,may be shared by two first pass transistors PS1 formed of NMOStransistors.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating an integrated circuit device 400Baccording to example embodiments of the inventive concept.

The integrated circuit device 400B illustrated in FIG. 8 has overall thesame structure as the integrated circuit device 400A illustrated in FIG.7A. However, the integrated circuit device 400B of FIG. 8 includes anSRAM array 420 including an inter-gate insulation region IGRT extendingin an X direction over two gate lines SGL, instead of the inter-gateinsulation region IGR illustrated in FIG. 7A. The inter-gate insulationregion IGRT has a long axis in the X direction and a short axis in the Ydirection.

In the integrated circuit device 400B, a plurality of gate lines SGLinclude a pair of gate lines SGL11 and SGL12 adjacent to each other inthe X direction and another pair of gate lines SGL13 and SGL14 that arespaced apart from the one pair of gate lines SGL11 and SGL12 in the Ydirection and adjacent to each other in the X direction. The pair ofgate lines SGL11 and SGL12 and the other pair of gate lines SGL13 andSGL14 are spaced apart from each other with the inter-gate insulationregion IGRT disposed therebetween, and each include an end portioncontacting the inter-gate insulation region IGRT.

The inter-gate insulation region IGRT may have the same or similarstructure, for example, as the inter-gate insulation region IGR3described with reference to FIGS. 3A through 3E.

FIG. 9A is a plan view illustrating certain elements of an integratedcircuit device 500 according to example embodiments of the inventiveconcept. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the integrated circuitdevice 500 cut along line 9B-9B′ of FIG. 9A. Like reference numerals inFIGS. 9A and 9B denote like elements as in FIGS. 1A through 7, anddescription thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the integrated circuit device 500 mayinclude a plurality of cells LC1 and LC2 that are formed on a substrate110 and each include at least one logic circuit and a cell boundary 510.The plurality of cells LC1 and LC2 may be referred to as a first cellLC1 and a second cell LC2 that are adjacent to each other.

The first cell LC1 and the second cell LC2 respectively include a firstdevice region 520A and a second device region 520B. In the first cellLC1 and the second cell LC2, a plurality of active regions AC extend inthe first device region 520A and the second device region 520B in thefirst direction (X direction).

A device isolation layer 112 is formed between two respective activeregions of the plurality of active regions AC on the substrate 110. Theplurality of active regions AC protrude from the device isolation layer112 in the form of fins.

In the first cell LC1, a plurality of first gate insulation layers 118Aand a plurality of first gate lines LGL1 extend to cross the pluralityof active regions AC in the second direction (Y direction). In thesecond cell LC2, a plurality of second gate insulation layers 118B and aplurality of second gate lines LGL2 extend to cross the plurality ofactive regions AC and in a straight line with the plurality of firstgate lines LGL1. The plurality of second gate insulation layers 118B andthe plurality of second gate lines LGL2 are spaced apart from theplurality of first gate insulation layers 118A and the plurality offirst gate lines LGL1 with an inter-gate insulation region IGRLinterposed therebetween.

The integrated circuit device 500 may include the variouscharacteristics of the integrated circuit devices 100, 200, and 300according to the description above with reference to FIGS. 1A through 5.

From among the plurality of first gate lines LGL1 and the plurality ofsecond gate lines LGL2, a first gate line LGL1 and a second gate lineLGL2 that are adjacent to each other with the inter-gate insulationregion IGRL interposed therebetween may have a configurationcorresponding to the first gate line GLA and the second gate line GLBdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1A through 3E.

The inter-gate insulation region IGRL interposed between the first gateline LGL1 and the second gate line LGL2 adjacent to each other may bedisposed between the cell boundary 510 of the first cell LC1 and thecell boundary 510 of the second cell LC2.

Referring to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the inter-gate insulation region IGRLhaving a length L corresponding to a width LCW of the first cell LC1 andthe second cell LC2 between the first cell LC1 and the second cell LC2adjacent to each other and having a width W corresponding to a distanceD between the adjacent first and second cells LC1 and LC2 isillustrated. However, a size and a shape of the inter-gate insulationregion IGRL may be modified and changed in various manners within thescope of the spirit of the inventive concept. In some embodiments, theinter-gate insulation region IGRL may have the same or similar structureas the inter-gate insulation region IGR1 described with reference toFIGS. 1A through 1E, the inter-gate insulation region IGR2 describedwith reference to FIGS. 2A through 2E, or the inter-gate insulationregion IGR3 described with reference to FIGS. 3A through 3E.

The plurality of active regions AC may be formed of a plurality offin-type active regions protruding from the substrate 110. Also, atransistor may be formed at each point of intersection between theplurality of first gate lines LGL1 and the plurality of second gatelines LGL2 and the plurality of active regions AC. The plurality offirst gate lines LGL1 and the plurality of second gate lines LGL2 may beshared by a plurality of FinFET devices formed on the substrate 110.

The first cell LC1 and the second cell LC2 are standard cells thatperform desired logic functions such as a counter, a buffer, or thelike, and may be used to form various types of logic cells including aplurality of circuit elements such as a transistor, a register or thelike. For example, the first cell LC1 and the second cell LC2 may eachform an AND gate, NAND gate, OR gate, NOR gate, exclusive OR (XOR) gate,exclusive NOR (XNOR) gate, inverter (INV), adder (ADD), buffer (BUF),delay (DLY) element, filter (FILL), multiplexer (MXT/MXIT), OAI(OR/AND/INVERTER), AO (AND/OR) gate, AOI (AND/OR/INVERTER), D flip-flop,reset flip-flop, master-slave flip-flop, or latch. However, theabove-described cells are example, and the logic cells according to theinventive concept are not limited to the above-described cells.

Next, a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit device accordingto example embodiments of the inventive concept will be described indetail with reference to the attached drawings. Like reference numeralsdenote like elements as in FIGS. 1A through 9B, and description thereofwill be omitted.

FIGS. 10A through 20C are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit device 600 according to exampleembodiments of the inventive concept in a process order (refer to FIGS.20A through 20C). In detail, FIGS. 10A through 20A are cross-sectionalviews illustrating a portion of the integrated circuit device 600corresponding to the cross-section cut along line C-C′ of FIG. 1B in aprocess order. FIGS. 10B through 20B are respective cross-sectionalviews of the integrated circuit device of FIGS. 10A through 20A cutalong line PB-PB′. FIGS. 10C through 20C are respective cross-sectionalviews of the integrated circuit device of FIGS. 10A through 20A cutalong line PC-PC′.

A method of manufacturing the integrated circuit device 600 having asimilar structure to the integrated circuit device 100 illustrated inFIGS. 1A through 1E, according to an example embodiment, will bedescribed with reference to FIGS. 10A through 20C.

Referring to FIGS. 10A through 10C, a substrate 110 is provided, and aportion of the substrate 110 is etched to form a trench T that defines aplurality of active regions AC protruding from the substrate 110 upwardand extending in the first direction (X direction).

The plurality of active regions AC may include P-type or N-type impuritydiffusion regions (not shown) according to a channel type of a MOStransistor, to be formed in the plurality of active regions AC.

Referring to FIGS. 11A through 11C, an insulation layer covering theplurality of active regions AC is formed on the substrate 110, and aportion of the insulation layer is removed to form a device isolationlayer 112 which is formed of a portion of the insulation layer remainingin the trench T.

The plurality of active regions AC may be defined by the deviceisolation layer 112.

In some embodiments, in order to remove a portion of the insulationlayer such that the device isolation layer 112 is left, an etch backprocess may be used. After forming the device isolation layer 112, theplurality of active regions AC protrude from an upper surface of thedevice isolation layer 112 to be exposed.

The device isolation layer 112 may be formed, for example, of a siliconoxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, or acombination of these. The device isolation layer 112 may include aninsulation liner formed of a thermal oxide layer and a buried insulationlayer burying the trench T on the insulation liner.

Referring to FIGS. 12A through 12C, a dummy gate structure D120extending on the plurality of active regions AC to cross the pluralityof active regions AC is formed.

The dummy gate structure D120 may include a dummy gate insulation layerD122, a dummy gate line D124, and a dummy gate capping layer D126 thatare sequentially stacked on the plurality of active regions AC. In someembodiments, the dummy gate insulation layer D122 may include a siliconoxide. The dummy gate line D124 may include a polysilicon. The dummygate capping layer D126 may include at least one of a silicon oxide, asilicon nitride, and a silicon oxynitride.

Then, an insulation spacer 124 is formed on two sidewalls of the dummygate structure D120. The insulation spacer 124 may be formed of asilicon nitride, a silicon oxynitride or a combination of these.

Then, a semiconductor layer ES is formed on the plurality of activeregions AC exposed at two sides of the dummy gate structure D120 byusing an epitaxial growth process, and a first source/drain region 120Aand a second source/drain region 120B are formed in a portion of theplurality of active regions AC and the semiconductor layer ES formed onthe portion of the plurality of active regions AC.

The first source/drain region 120A and the second source/drain region120B may have an elevated source/drain region shape. Also, an uppersurface of the second source/drain region 120B may be at a higher levelthan an upper surface of the active regions AC.

In some embodiments, the first source/drain region 120A and the secondsource/drain region 120B are not limited to the shape illustrated inFIG. 12B. For example, the first source/drain region 120A and the secondsource/drain region 120B may have a cross-section cut along a Y-Z planethat is polygonal, for example, rectangular, octagonal, hexagonal,circular, or oval.

Referring to FIGS. 13A through 13C, an insulation layer 620 covering thedevice isolation layer 112, the first source/drain region 120A, thesecond source/drain region 120B, the dummy gate structure D120, and theinsulation spacer 124 is formed.

The insulation layer 620 may include a first insulation layer 622, asecond insulation layer 624, and a third insulation layer 626 that aresequentially formed from the bottom. In some embodiments, the firstinsulation layer 622 and the third insulation layer 626 may be formed ofan oxide layer, and the second insulation layer 624 may be formed of anitride layer, but are not limited thereto.

In one embodiment, to form the insulation layer 620, the firstinsulation layer 622 is formed to have a thickness sufficient forcovering the device isolation layer 112, the first source/drain region120A, the second source/drain region 120B, the dummy gate structureD120, and the insulation spacer 124, and then the first insulation layer622 is recessed so that a level of an upper surface of the firstinsulation layer 622 is lower than a level of a lower surface of thedummy gate capping layer D126 as illustrated in FIGS. 13B and 13C,thereby exposing the dummy gate structure D120 again. Next, the secondinsulation layer 624 may be formed on the first insulation layer 622 andthe dummy gate structure D120, and then the third insulation layer 626may be formed on the second insulation layer 624. Then, a portion of thethird insulation layer 626 is removed using a polishing operation suchas a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) operation from the upperportion until the second insulation layer 624 is exposed, and a portionof the second insulation layer 624 exposed on the dummy gate structureD120 is removed using an etch back operation to expose the dummy gatestructure D120 again to thereby obtain a resultant product having across-sectional structure as illustrated in FIGS. 13B and 13C.

Referring to FIGS. 14A and 14C, a portion of the dummy gate structureD120 exposed through the insulation layer 620 is removed to form a gatehole GH.

The insulation spacer 124 and the active regions AC may be exposedthrough the gate hole GH.

Referring to FIGS. 15A through 15C, a plurality of interface layers 616,a gate insulation layer 118, and a gate layer 630 are formed in the gatehole GH (refer to FIGS. 14A through 14C).

A process of forming the plurality of interface layers 616 may includeoxidizing a portion of the active regions AC exposed in the gate holeGH. The plurality of interface layers 616 may perform the function ofpreventing interface defects between a plurality of gate insulationlayers 118 formed thereon and the active regions AC therebelow. In someembodiments, the plurality of interface layers 616 may be formed of asilicon oxide layer, a silicon oxynitride layer, a silicate layer, or acombination of these. In some embodiments, a process of forming theplurality of interface layers 616 may be omitted. If the process offorming the plurality of interface layers 616 is omitted, a structure inwhich a gate insulation layer is immediately formed on an active regionmay be obtained in a similar manner as illustrated in FIGS. 1A through5.

The gate insulation layers 118 may be formed, for example, of a siliconoxide layer, a high-k dielectric layer, or a combination of these. Thehigh-k dielectric layer may be formed of a material having a higherdielectric constant than a silicon oxide layer. For example, the gateinsulation layer 118 may have a dielectric constant of about 10 to about25.

The gate layer 630 may be a conductive layer and may have a structure inwhich a metal nitride layer, a metal layer, a conductive capping layer,and a gap-fill metal layer are sequentially stacked. The description ofthe first gate line GLA, the second gate line GLB, the gate line GL1,and the gate line GL2 with reference to FIGS. 1A through 5 applies tothe details regarding materials of the gate layer 630. In someembodiments, an ALD process, a MOALD process, a CVD process, a MOCVDprocess, or a PVD process may be used to form the gate layer 630.However, the method of forming the gate layer 630 is not limited to thedescribed processes.

In some embodiments, when forming the gate layer 630, a partial metallayer is formed on the gate insulation layer 118 in order to improvereliability between a high-k dielectric layer which the gate insulationlayer 118 is formed of and a metal layer stack structure which the gatelayer 630 is formed of. Further, a polysilicon sacrificial layer forannealing may be deposited on the partial metal layer, and afterannealing is performed on the resultant product, the polysiliconsacrificial layer for annealing may be removed. Next, a remaining metallayer may be formed on the annealed portion of the partial metal layerto thereby form the gate layer 630.

Referring to FIGS. 16A through 16C, portions of the gate insulationlayer 118 and the gate layer 630 are removed from the resultant productof FIGS. 15A and 15B so that the gate insulation layer 118 and the gatelayer 630 are left only in the gate hole GH (refer to FIGS. 14A and14B).

In one embodiment, when removing portions of the gate insulation layer118 and the gate layer 630, a second insulation layer 624 included inthe insulation layer 620 is used as a planarization stopper layer toperform a planarization process until a planar upper surface of thesecond insulation layer 624 is exposed.

As a result, the insulation spacer 124 and the insulation layer 620 areconsumed from respective upper surfaces thereof by a predeterminedthickness so that thicknesses thereof in a Z-direction may be reduced,and the gate insulation layer 118, the insulation spacer 124, and thesecond insulation layer 624 may be exposed around an upper surface ofthe gate layer 630.

Referring to FIGS. 17A through 17C, a gate separation mask pattern 640that exposes a portion of the upper surface of the gate layer 630 and aportion of an upper surface of the gate insulation layer 118 is formedon the gate layer 630.

A mask hole 640H that exposes a portion of the upper surface of the gatelayer 630 and a portion of the upper surface of the gate insulationlayer 118 is formed in the gate separation mask pattern 640.

The gate separation mask pattern 640 may be formed of a single layer ormultiple layers. In FIGS. 17A and 17B, the gate separation mask pattern640 formed of a double layer including a first hard mask layer 642 and asecond hard mask layer 644 is illustrated. In some embodiments, thefirst hard mask layer 642 and the second hard mask layer 644 may be eachformed of a silicon oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, a polysiliconlayer or a carbon-containing layer such as a spin-on hard mask (SOH)material. The carbon-containing layer formed of a SOH material may beformed of an organic compound having a relatively high carbon content ofabout 85 wt % to about 99 wt % based on the total weight. For example,the organic compound may be formed of a hydrocarbon compound includingan aromatic ring, such as phenyl, benzene, or naphthalene, or aderivative thereof. For example, the first hard mask layer 642 may beformed of a carbon-containing layer formed of a SOH material, and thesecond hard mask layer 644 may be formed of a silicon oxide layer.

Referring to FIGS. 18A through 18C, the exposed portions of the gatelayer 630 and the gate insulation layer 118 (refer to FIGS. 17A through17C) are removed using the gate separation mask pattern 640, theinsulation spacer 124, and the second insulation layer 624 as an etchingmask so as to form the first gate line GLA and the second gate line GLBformed of remaining portions of the gate layer 630 and the first gateinsulation layer 118A and the second gate insulation layer 118B formedof remaining portions of the gate insulation layer 118.

As a result, space 650 that exposes a portion of an upper surface of thedevice isolation layer 112 is formed between the first gate line GLA andthe first gate insulation layer 118A and the second gate line GLB andthe second gate insulation layer 118B.

After the first gate line GLA, the second gate line GLB, the first gateinsulation layer 118A, and the second gate insulation layer 118B areformed, a portion of the upper surface of the device isolation layer 112is exposed through the mask hole 640H and the space 650 formed in thegate separation mask pattern 640, and the first short-axis sidewall G3Aof the first gate line GLA, the second short-axis sidewall G3B of thesecond gate line GLB, an end portion AE of the first gate insulationlayer 118A, and an end portion BE of the second gate insulation layer118B may be exposed.

According to the present example embodiment, the first gate line GLA andthe second gate line GLB extend in the Y direction to respectively crosstwo active regions AC, but the inventive concept is not limited thereto.For example, the first gate line GLA and the second gate line GLB mayextend to respectively cross one or three or more active regions.

Referring to FIGS. 19A through 19C, the mask pattern 640 for gateisolation (refer to FIGS. 18A through 18C) is removed to expose an uppersurface of the first gate line GLA, an upper surface of the second gateline GLB, an upper surface of the first gate insulation layer 118A, anupper surface of the second gate insulation layer 118B, and an uppersurface of the second insulation layer 624.

Referring to FIGS. 20A and 20C, an inter-gate insulation region IGR1filling the space 650 between the first gate line GLA and the first gateinsulation layer 118A and the second gate line GLB and the second gateinsulation layer 118B (refer to FIGS. 19A through 19C) is formed.

In order to form the inter-gate insulation region IGR1, an insulationmaterial having a sufficient thickness to fill the space 650 andcovering the upper surface of the second insulation layer 624 may bedeposited, and the insulation material may be etched back or planarizeduntil the upper surface of the second insulation layer 624 is exposed.

The inter-gate insulation region IGR1 may be formed, for example, of asilicon oxide, a silicon nitride, air space or a combination of these.

The inter-gate insulation region IGR1 may be formed to contact the firstshort-axis sidewall G3A of the first gate line GLA, the secondshort-axis sidewall G3B of the second gate line GLB, the end portion AEof the first gate insulation layer 118A, the end portion BE of thesecond gate insulation layer 118B, the insulation spacer 124, and thedevice isolation layer 112.

According to the method of manufacturing the integrated circuit device600 according to the example embodiments of the inventive conceptdescribed with reference to FIGS. 10A through 20C, when forming aplurality of gate lines GLA and GLB used in the integrated circuitdevice 600 by using a replacement metal gate (RMG) process, a gate line630 formed of a metal material used in a final structure is formed inspace formed by removing the dummy gate line D124, and then the gatelayer 630 is separated to form the plurality of gate lines GLA and GLB.

Integrated circuit devices are gradually becoming ultra large scale andminute due to scaling thereof. Accordingly, one attempt to maximize anON-current of a FinFET has been made to gradually increase the height ofa gate on a device isolation layer in order to increase the effect ofusing a sidewall formed by fins of the FinFET as a channel. As theheight of the gate is increased, an RMG process for forming a pluralityof gate lines GLA and GLB used in the integrated circuit device 600 isused, thereby resulting in a gradual decrease in a process window.

Unlike the method according to the embodiments described herein, whenforming a plurality of gate lines GLA and GLB used in an integratedcircuit device using a RMG process, for example, if a gate-cut processis used, in which, a dummy gate line is separated into a plurality ofdummy gate lines, and then the plurality of dummy gate lines arereplaced by metal gate lines used in a final structure, a window withrespect to the gate-cut process on the dummy gate lines is reduced. Inparticular, when removing the plurality of dummy gate lines obtained byseparating the dummy gate line according to the RMG process, processdifficulty in terms of removing a remaining portion of a dummy gate linehaving a relatively small width between a fin active region and agate-cut region increases. Also, in a manufacturing process of anintegrated circuit device, similarly to description provided withreference to FIGS. 15A through 15C, when forming a plurality of metalgate lines used in a final structure in a plurality of spaces providedas a result of removing the plurality of dummy gate lines obtained byseparating a dummy gate line, on a resultant product on which thegate-cut process is completed, a partial metal layer forming the metallayer stack structure forming a gate may be formed on the gateinsulation layer in order to increase reliability between a high-kdielectric layer of which a gate insulation layer is formed and a metallayer stack structure of which a gate is formed, and then a polysiliconsacrificial layer for annealing may be deposited on the partial metallayer, and then the polysilicon sacrificial layer for annealing may beremoved. In such a case, when forming a plurality of metal gate linesused in a final structure, the polysilicon sacrificial layer forannealing is filled in the relatively narrow space between the finactive region and the gate-cut region in the plurality of spaces left onthe resultant product on which the gate-cut process is completed, andafter the annealing, the polysilicon sacrificial layer for annealing,filled in the relatively narrow space between the fin active region andthe gate-cut region is to be removed. However, the space between the finactive region and the gate-cut region is gradually reduced according toscaling of the integrated circuit device, and when removing thepolysilicon sacrificial layer for annealing from the narrow space, thepolysilicon sacrificial layer for annealing may not be completelyremoved but left to cause deterioration in characteristics of theintegrated circuit device.

However, according to a method of manufacturing the integrated circuitdevice 600 of the example embodiments of the inventive concept, whenforming the plurality of gate lines GLA and GLB used in the integratedcircuit device 600 by using a RMG process, the gate layer 630 formed ofa metal material used in a final structure is formed in space formed byremoving the dummy gate line D124, and a gate-cut process is performedon the gate layer 630 to form the plurality of gate lines GLA and GLB.Thus, the problem in which a residue of the dummy gate line D124 remainsaround the gate-cut region or a residue of the polysilicon sacrificiallayer for annealing is not completely removed may be prevented from thestart.

Also, as the gate-cut process is performed after the first source/drainregion 120A and the second source/drain region 120B are formed, whenforming the first source/drain region 120A and the second source/drainregion 120B, defects generated in the first source/drain region 120A andthe second source/drain region 120B due to the gate-cut region may beprevented.

FIGS. 21A through 25B are cross-sectional views illustrating a method ofmanufacturing an integrated circuit device according to certain exampleembodiments of the inventive concept in a process order. In detail,FIGS. 21A through 25A are cross-sectional views illustrating a portionof an integrated circuit device corresponding to a cross-section cutalong a line C-C′ of FIG. 1B. FIGS. 21B through 25B are respectivecross-sectional views of the integrated circuit device of FIGS. 21Athough 25A cut along a line PC-PC′. Like reference numerals in FIGS. 21Athrough 25B denote like elements as in FIGS. 10A through 20C, anddescription thereof will be omitted.

Referring to FIGS. 21A and 21B, processes up to a process of forming aplurality of interface layers 616, a gate insulation layer 118, and agate layer 630 in a gate hole GH using the method described withreference to FIGS. 10A through 15C are performed, and then, in a similarmanner as described with reference to FIGS. 16A through 16C, portions ofthe gate insulation layer 118 and the gate layer 630 are removed fromresultant product of FIGS. 15A and 15B. However, according to thepresent example embodiment, while portions of the gate insulation layer118 and the gate layer 630 are removed, after the upper surface of thesecond insulation layer 624 is exposed, the second insulation layer 624and the insulation spacer 124 are used as an etching mask to furtheretch the gate insulation layer 118 and the gate layer 630 by a firstthickness D1. As a result, a recessed gate insulation layer 118R and arecessed gate layer 630R are left in the gate hole GH, and a partialspace at an inlet of the gate hole GH corresponding to the firstthickness D1 is left on upper surfaces of the recessed gate insulationlayer 118R and the recessed gate layer 630R.

Referring to FIGS. 22A and 22B, in a similar method to the methoddescribed with reference to FIGS. 17A through 17C, a gate separationmask pattern 640, which exposes a portion of the recessed gateinsulation layer 118R and a portion of the recessed gate layer 630R isformed on a resultant product of FIGS. 21A and 21B.

A mask hole 640H exposing the portion of the recessed gate insulationlayer 118R and the portion of the recessed gate layer 630R is formed inthe gate separation mask pattern 640. The mask hole 640H is connected tothe partial space at the inlet of the gate hole GH.

Referring to FIGS. 23A and 23B, by using a method similar to the methoddescribed with reference to FIGS. 18A and 18C, the gate separation maskpattern 640, the insulation spacer 124, and the second insulation layer624 are used as an etching mask to remove exposed portions of therecessed gate layer 630R and the recessed gate insulation layer 118R,thereby forming a first recessed gate line GLAR and a second recessedgate line GLBR formed of a remaining portion of the recessed gate layer630R and a first recessed gate insulation layer 118AR and a secondrecessed gate insulation layer 118BR formed of a remaining portion ofthe recessed gate insulation layer 118R.

As a result, space 650 that exposes a portion of an upper surface of thedevice isolation layer 112 is formed between the first recessed gateline GLAR and the recessed gate insulation layer 118AR and the secondrecessed gate line GLBR and the second recessed gate insulation layer118BR.

Referring to FIGS. 24A and 24B, the mask pattern 640 for gate isolationis removed so as to expose an upper surface of the first recessed gateline GLAR, an upper surface of the first recessed gate insulation layer118AR, an upper surface of the second recessed gate line GLBR, and anupper surface of the second recessed gate insulation layer 118BR.

Referring to FIGS. 25A and 25B, an inter-gate insulation region IGR7that fills the space 650 (see FIGS. 24A and 24B) between the firstrecessed gate line GLAR and the recessed gate insulation layer 118AR andthe second recessed gate line GLBR and the second recessed gateinsulation layer 118BR is formed using a method similar to the methoddescribed with reference to FIGS. 20A through 20C.

In order to form the inter-gate insulation region IGR7, an insulationmaterial having a sufficient thickness to fill the space 650 andcovering an upper surface of the second insulation layer 624 may bedeposited, and the insulation material may be etched back or planarizeduntil the upper surface of the second insulation layer 624 is exposed.

Details of the materials of the inter-gate insulation region IGR7 arethe same as description of the inter-gate insulation region IGR1described with reference to FIGS. 20A through 20C.

While the inter-gate insulation region IGR7 is formed, an insulationcapping layer 750 that is integrally connected to the inter-gateinsulation region IGR7 and extends to cover upper surfaces of the firstrecessed gate line GLAR, the recessed gate insulation layer 118AR, thesecond recessed gate line GLBR, and the second recessed gate insulationlayer 118BR may be simultaneously formed.

A second thickness D2 of the insulation capping layer 750 may correspondto the first thickness D1 illustrated in FIG. 21B.

According to the method of manufacturing the integrated circuit device700 according to the example embodiments of the inventive conceptdescribed with reference to FIGS. 21A through 25B, similarly to themethod of manufacturing the integrated circuit device 600 according tothe example embodiments of the inventive concept described withreference to FIGS. 10A through 20C, when forming a plurality of recessedgate lines GLAR and GLBR used in the integrated circuit device 700 byusing a RMG process, a recessed gate layer 630R formed of a metalmaterial used in a final structure in a space formed by removing thedummy gate line D124 is formed, and then the recessed gate layer 630R isseparated to form the plurality of recessed gate lines GLAR and GLBR.Thus, the problem in which a residue of the dummy gate line D124 remainsaround the gate-cut region or a residue of the polysilicon sacrificiallayer that is not completely removed may be prevented from the start.

In addition, as the gate-cut process is performed after the firstsource/drain region 120A and the second source/drain region 120B areformed, when forming the first source/drain region 120A and the secondsource/drain region 120B, defects that may be caused in the firstsource/drain region 120A and the second source/drain region 120B due tothe gate-cut region may be prevented.

FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of a method of manufacturing anintegrated circuit device 800 according to certain example embodimentsof the inventive concept.

The integrated circuit device 800 having an insulation region IGR8having air space and a method of manufacturing the integrated circuitdevice 800 will be described with reference to FIG. 26.

Referring to FIG. 26, according to the method described with referenceto FIGS. 21A through 24B, processes are performed up to a process ofremoving the mask pattern 640 for gate isolation, which exposes an uppersurface of the first recessed gate line GLAR, an upper surface of thefirst recessed gate insulation layer 118AR, an upper surface of thesecond recessed gate line GLBR, and an upper surface of the secondrecessed gate insulation layer 118BR.

Next, while the space 650 (refer to FIGS. 24A and 24B) between the firstrecessed gate line GLAR and the first recessed gate insulation layer118AR and the second recessed gate line GLBR and the second recessedgate insulation layer 118BR is exposed, the insulation capping layer 850is formed.

When forming the insulation capping layer 850, an insulation materialcovering the upper surfaces of the first recessed gate line GLAR, thefirst recessed gate insulation layer 118AR, the second recessed gateline GLBR, and the second recessed gate insulation layer 118BR may bedeposited so that air space AS is left in the space 650.

When performing a process of depositing the insulation material to formthe insulation capping layer 850, a deposition process condition may becontrolled such that the air space AS is left while the space 650 is notcompletely filled. In some embodiments, in order that the air space ASis left in the space 650, a process condition with a relativelydeteriorated step coverage may be selected in the process of depositingthe insulation material performed to form the insulation capping layer850. The insulation capping layer 850 may be formed, for example, of anoxide layer, a nitride layer, or a combination of these. For example,the insulation capping layer 850 may be formed of a high density plasma(HDP) oxide layer.

According to the integrated circuit device 800 illustrated in FIG. 26,as the air space AS is formed in the space 650 between the firstrecessed gate line GLAR and the recessed gate insulation layer 118AR andthe second recessed gate line GLBR and the second recessed gateinsulation layer 118BR. A relative permittivity between the firstrecessed gate line GLAR and the second recessed gate line GLBR adjacentto each other may be reduced, and capacitance between adjacentconductive lines may be reduced.

While example structures and manufacturing methods are described aboveregarding integrated circuit devices having a structure similar to thatof the integrated circuit device 100 illustrated in FIGS. 1A through 1E,such as the integrated circuit device 600, the integrated circuit device700 further including the insulation capping layer 750, and theintegrated circuit device 800 including the air space AS, variousmodifications and changes may be made within the scope of the inventiveconcept to manufacture, based on description provided above withreference to FIGS. 10A through 26, the integrated circuit device 200illustrated in FIGS. 2A through 2E, the integrated circuit device 300illustrated in FIGS. 3A through 3E, the integrated circuit devices 100,400A, and 400B illustrated in FIGS. 7A through 8, the integrated circuitdevice 500 illustrated in FIGS. 9A and 9B, or other various integratedcircuit devices having a similar structure to these.

While the integrated circuit devices including a FinFET having athree-dimensional channel and methods of manufacturing the integratedcircuit devices are described with reference to FIGS. 1A through 26, theinventive concept is not limited thereto. For example, variousmodifications and changes may be made within the scope of the presentdisclosure to provide integrated circuit devices including a planarMOSFET having the characteristics according to the disclosed embodimentsand methods of manufacturing the integrated circuit devices.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram illustrating a non-volatile memory device 900according to example embodiments of the inventive concept. Thenon-volatile memory device 900 including an integrated circuit deviceaccording to example embodiments of the inventive concept will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 27.

Referring to FIG. 27, the nonvolatile memory device 900 may be providedin the form of, for example, a semiconductor device such as a NAND flashmemory device. However, the nonvolatile memory device 900 is not limitedto a NAND flash memory device but may also be, for example, a NOR flashmemory, a resistive random access memory (RRAM), a phase-change RAM(PRAM), a magnetoresistive random access memory (MRAM), or aferroelectric random access memory.

The nonvolatile memory device 900 may be implemented to have athree-dimensional array structure. The nonvolatile memory device 900 maybe applied not only to a flash memory device that includes a chargestorage layer formed of a conductive floating gate, but also to a chargetrap flash (CTF) memory device that includes a charge storage layerformed of an insulation layer.

The nonvolatile memory device 900 may include a memory cell array 910, arow decoder circuit 920, a read/write circuit 930, a voltage generationcircuit 940, and a control logic and input and output interface block950.

The memory cell array 910 may include memory cells including word linesarranged in a row direction and bit lines arranged in a columndirection. The memory cells may form memory blocks.

The row decoder circuit 920 may be controlled by the control logic andinput and output interface block 950, and may select and drive the wordlines of the memory cell array 910.

The read/write circuit 930 is controlled by the control logic and inputand output interface block 950 and may operate as a read circuit or awrite circuit according to an operational mode. For example, in a readoperation, the read/write circuit 930 may operate as a read circuit thatreads data from the memory cell array 910 under control of the controllogic and input and output interface block 950. In a write operation (orprogramming operation), the read/write circuit 930 may operate as awrite circuit that writes data to the memory cell array 910 undercontrol of the control logic and input and output interface block 950.

The voltage generation circuit 940 is controlled by the control logicand input and output interface block 950, and may generate voltages tooperate the nonvolatile memory device 900. For example, the voltagegeneration circuit 940 may generate a programming voltage, a passvoltage, a verification voltage or a selection voltage to be supplied tothe word lines of the memory cell array 910 or a well bias voltage Vbbto be supplied to a substrate of the memory cell array 910 or a wellformed in the substrate. The well bias voltage Vbb may be one of 0 V anda negative voltage according to an operational mode.

The control logic and input and output interface block 950 may controlan overall operation of the nonvolatile memory device 900. The controllogic and input and output interface block 950 may provide a datatransmission channel between the nonvolatile memory device 900 and anexternal device such as a memory controller or a host. When aprogramming operation is requested, the control logic and input andoutput interface block 950 may control the voltage generation circuit940 such that the substrate including the memory cells or the wellformed in the substrate is biased to a negative voltage.

The control logic and input and output interface block 950 forms asemiconductor device that includes at least one of the integratedcircuit devices 100, 200, 300, 400, 400A, 400B, 500, 600, 700, and 800according to the disclosed embodiments or an integrated circuit devicethat is modified or changed based on these integrated circuit deviceswithin the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining an electronic system 1000 providedwith an integrated circuit device according to example embodiments ofthe inventive concept.

Referring to FIG. 28, the electronic system 1000 may be an electronicdevice that includes an input device 1010, an output device 1020, aprocessor device 1030, and a memory device 1040.

The processor device 1030 may control the input device 1010, the outputdevice 1020, and the memory device 1040 via a corresponding interface.The processor device 1030 may include at least one from among amicroprocessor, a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, and logicdevices capable of performing operations similar to those of the atleast one microprocessor, the digital signal processor, and themicrocontroller.

At least one of the processor device 1030 and the memory device 1040 maybe a semiconductor device that includes at least one of the integratedcircuit devices 100, 100A, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800according to the disclosed embodiments or an integrated circuit devicethat is modified or changed based on these integrated circuit deviceswithin the scope of the present disclosure.

The input device 1010 and the output device 1020 may each include, forexample, a keypad, a keyboard or a display device.

The memory device 1040 may include a memory 1042 such as a volatilememory device or a nonvolatile memory device such as a flash memorydevice. The electronic system 1000 may be provided for use by a user.For example, it may be a cell phone, laptop computer, tablet, or otherelectronic device that receives input from and outputs information to auser.

FIG. 29 is a block diagram illustrating a memory system 1100 includingan integrated circuit device according to certain example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 29, the memory system 1100 may be provided as anelectronic device that includes an interface unit 1130, a controller1140, and a memory device 1120.

The interface unit 1130 may provide an interface between a memory systemsuch as the electronic system 1000 illustrated in FIG. 29 and a host.The interface unit 1130 may include a data exchange protocolcorresponding to the host to interface with the host. The interface unit1130 may communicate with the host by using one of various interfaceprotocols such as a universal serial bus (USB), a multi-media card(MMC), a peripheral component interconnect-express (PCI-E), aserial-attached SCSI (SAS), a serial advanced technology attachment(SATA), a parallel advanced technology attachment (PATA), a smallcomputer system interface (SCSI), an enhanced small disk interface(ESDI), and integrated drive electronics (IDE).

The controller 1140 may receive data and an address from the outside viathe interface unit 1130. The controller 1140 may access a memory device,for example, the memory device 1040 illustrated in FIG. 28, based ondata and an address received from the host. The controller 1140 maytransmit data read from the memory device 1120 via the interface unit1130 to the host.

The controller 1140 may include a buffer memory 1150. The buffer memory1150 may temporarily store write data received from the host or dataread from the memory device 1120.

The memory device 1120 may be provided as a storage medium of the memorysystem 1100. For example, the memory device 1120 may be a PRAM, an MRAM,a resistive RAM (ReRAM), a ferroelectric RAM (FRAM), a NOR flash memory,or a combination of these. The memory device 1120 may be an electronicdevice that includes at least one of the integrated circuit devices 100,100A, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, and 800 according to the disclosedembodiments or an integrated circuit device that is modified or changedbased on these integrated circuit devices within the scope of thepresent disclosure.

The memory system 1100 illustrated in FIG. 29 may be provided in variouselectronic devices. For example, it may be mounted in an informationprocessing unit such as a personal digital assistant (PDA), a portablecomputer, a web tablet, a digital camera, a portable media player (PMP),a mobile phone, a wireless phone, or a laptop computer. The memorysystem 1100 may be formed of a MultiMediaCard (MMC), a Secure Digital(SD) card, a micro SD card, a memory stick, an ID card, a PersonalComputer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) card, a chipcard, a universal serial bus (USB) card, a smart card, a Compact Flash(CF) card or the like.

While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to example embodiments thereof, it will be understoodthat various changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated circuit device comprising: aplurality of active regions formed on a substrate and extending in afirst direction; a first gate line and a second gate line formed on thesubstrate, extending in a straight line in a second direction andcrossing the plurality of active regions, wherein the first gate lineand the second gate line are spaced apart from each other; a first gateinsulation layer extending in the second direction and covering a firstsurface of the first gate line, the first surface of the first gate linefacing the first direction, in a region where a first set of theplurality of active regions cross the first gate line, while notcovering a first short-axis sidewall of the first gate line facing thesecond gate line in the second direction; a second gate insulation layerextending in the second direction and covering a second surface of thesecond gate line, the second surface of the second gate line facing thefirst direction, in a region where a second set of the plurality ofactive regions cross the second gate line, while not covering a secondshort-axis sidewall of the second gate line facing the first gate linein the second direction; and an inter-gate insulation region interposedbetween the first gate line and the second gate line and abutting thefirst short-axis sidewall and the second short-axis sidewall, whereinthe inter-gate insulation region crosses an NMOS region and a PMOSregion, wherein the first gate insulation layer and the second gateinsulation layer are spaced apart from each other in the seconddirection, and the inter-gate insulation region is between the firstgate insulation layer and the second gate insulation layer in the seconddirection, and wherein the inter-gate insulation region comprises an airspace.
 2. The integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the firstgate line and the second gate line each include a metal.
 3. Theintegrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of activeregions are formed of a plurality of fin-type active regions protrudingfrom a surface of the substrate, wherein the first gate line extends tocover a first group active region including at least one fin-type activeregion selected from the plurality of fin-type active regions, and thesecond gate line extends to cover a second group active region includingat least one fin-type active region selected from the plurality offin-type active regions and spaced apart from the first group activeregion.
 4. The integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the firstgate line and the second gate line each have a planar upper surfaceextending in the second direction, and the planar surfaces arepositioned at a first level above the substrate.
 5. The integratedcircuit device of claim 1, further comprising: a first insulation spacercovering a first long-axis sidewall of the first gate line, wherein thefirst gate insulation layer is between the first insulation spacer andthe first long-axis sidewall; and a second insulation spacer covering asecond long-axis sidewall of the second gate line, wherein the secondgate insulation layer is between the second insulation spacer and thesecond long-axis sidewall; a third insulation spacer covering a portionof the inter-gate insulation region, wherein the first insulation spacerand the second insulation spacer are integrally connected to each othervia the third insulation spacer.
 6. The integrated circuit device ofclaim 1, further comprising: a first insulation spacer covering a firstlong-axis sidewall of the first gate line, wherein the first gateinsulation layer is between the first insulation spacer and the firstlong-axis sidewall; and a second insulation spacer covering a secondlong-axis sidewall of the second gate line, wherein the second gateinsulation layer is between the second insulation spacer and the secondlong-axis sidewall, wherein the first insulation spacer and the secondinsulation spacer are spaced apart from each other, and the inter-gateinsulation region is between the first insulation spacer and the secondinsulation spacer.
 7. The integrated circuit device of claim 1, whereinthe plurality of active regions are formed of a plurality of fin-typeactive regions protruding from a surface of the substrate, wherein thefirst gate line extends to cover two sidewalls and an upper surface of afirst fin-type active region selected from the plurality of activeregions, and the second gate line extends to cover two sidewalls and anupper surface of a second fin-type active region selected from theplurality of active regions and spaced apart from the first fin-typeactive region.
 8. The integrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein thefirst gate line and the second gate line each comprise a metal layerextending in the second direction and having a planar upper surfaceparallel to the substrate, and the metal layers are positioned at afirst level on the substrate.
 9. The integrated circuit device of claim1, wherein: the substrate includes a plurality of cells each having acell boundary and including at least one logic circuit; the plurality ofactive regions are included among a first cell and a second celladjacent to each other among the plurality of cells; the first gate lineis included in the first cell; and the second gate line is included inthe second cell.
 10. The integrated circuit device of claim 9, whereinthe inter-gate insulation region is disposed between the cell boundaryof the first cell and the cell boundary of the second cell.
 11. Theintegrated circuit device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of activeregions are formed of a plurality of fin-type active regions protrudingfrom a surface of the substrate, and the first gate line and the secondgate line are shared by a plurality of fin field effect transistors(FinFET) formed on the substrate.
 12. The integrated circuit device ofclaim 1, wherein the first gate line and the second gate line are sharedby a plurality of planar metal oxide semiconductor field effecttransistors (MOSFET) formed on the substrate.
 13. An integrated circuitdevice comprising: a plurality of active regions formed on a substrateand extending in a first direction; a first gate line and a second gateline formed on the substrate, extending in a straight line in a seconddirection and crossing the plurality of active regions, wherein thefirst gate line and the second gate line are spaced apart from eachother; a first gate insulation layer extending in the second directionand covering a first surface of the first gate line, the first surfaceof the first gate line facing the first direction, in a region where afirst set of the plurality of active regions cross the first gate line,while not covering a first short-axis sidewall of the first gate linefacing the second gate line in the second direction; a second gateinsulation layer extending in the second direction and covering a secondsurface of the second gate line, the second surface of the second gateline facing the first direction, in a region where a second set of theplurality of active regions cross the second gate line, while notcovering a second short-axis sidewall of the second gate line facing thefirst gate line in the second direction; and an inter-gate insulationregion interposed between the first gate line and the second gate lineand abutting the first short-axis sidewall and the second short-axissidewall, wherein the inter-gate insulation region comprises at leasttwo different materials, wherein the first gate insulation layer and thesecond gate insulation layer are spaced apart from each other in thesecond direction, and the inter-gate insulation region is between thefirst gate insulation layer and the second gate insulation layer in thesecond direction, and wherein the inter-gate insulation region comprisesan air space.
 14. The integrated circuit device of claim 13, wherein theinter-gate insulation region comprises a silicon oxide and a siliconnitride.
 15. An integrated circuit device, comprising: a plurality ofactive regions formed on a substrate and extending in a first direction;a first gate line and a second gate line formed on the substrate,extending in a straight line in a second direction and crossing theplurality of active regions, wherein the first gate line and the secondgate line are spaced apart from each other; a first gate insulationlayer extending in the second direction and covering a first surface ofthe first gate line facing a portion of the plurality of active regions,while not covering a first short-axis sidewall of the first gate linefacing the second gate line; a second gate insulation layer extending inthe second direction and covering a second surface of the second gateline facing another portion of the plurality of active regions, whilenot covering a second short-axis sidewall of the second gate line facingthe first gate line; and an inter-gate insulation region interposedbetween the first gate line and the second gate line and abutting thefirst short-axis sidewall and the second short-axis sidewall, whereinthe inter-gate insulation region comprises at least two differentmaterials, wherein the inter-gate insulation region comprises a siliconoxide and a silicon nitride, and further comprises air space.